Public comment on road naming
The road into the Maryborough Airport is commonly referred to as Airport Drive. The Maryborough Military Aviation Museum have suggested to name this road Clifton Cornall Circuit.
Clifton Cornall was born in England in 1918 and came to Australia with his family. He enlisted with the RAAF and was sent to Africa to fly with the RAF 250 Squadron.
In October 1941, he was left with extensive leg injuries when his P40 Kittyhawk Aircraft crashed after a bomb exploded under the cockpit.
He was captured by Italian soldiers and repatriated to Italy where he spent 18 months in hospital.
In 1943 he was freed in a prisoner swap and repatriated to Egypt before being sent home to Australia to recover.
He was stationed in Parkes, then Maryborough for general flying duties.
Cornall arrived in Maryborough on the 11th January 1944.
On 12 January 1944, Cornall was involved in an aeroplane crash with Wireless Operator LAC Clive Frederick Wood on board. The aeroplane crashed at the airport due to engine failure leaving Wood badly injured and killing Cornall.
Cornall is buried in the Maryborough War Cemetery.
The Maryborough Military Aviation Museum believe the name change is a fitting tribute to a young man who lost his life in Maryborough during World War II, aged 24 years.
Email us by close of business 3 July 2020 to have your say.